Florida Duck Hunting Report Archive

Posted By:
willdeem
Guest

merritt island 01-23-2005 17:03
Cloudy, Heavy Fog – 60-65 Degrees
hunted peacocks pocket saturday. Set up in a stick marsh and about 0600 the fog rolled in. Couldn’t hardly even see some of my dekes. got buzzed at shooting time by teals.
Wildest time I ever had-couldn’t see the birds until they were within 35-40 yards, and then it how fast could you shoot. Saw lots of ducks, mostly teal, but got buzzed by a flight of wigeons when I went to collect a bird that an eagle wanted. Even shot one in the butt after he buzzed my partner and I was kneeling in the mud, he flew right over me, and I nailed him going away. Best hunt I ever had in florida. Saw a neighboring hunter get a one shot double after the fog cleared. Seemed like the big water hunters in the river were doing good, at least, they were doing a lot of shooting. Scouted Catfish after we pulled out, and saw lots of teal and mottle ducks. I guess this last cold snap pushed them down. Birds were still flying at 11:30 AM.

Posted By:
glitterperegrine
Supporting Member

01-23-2005 00:02
– – –
Help a little girl out everyone.

Mackenzie Maier needs a postcard from you! Mac is a 4 year old with very serious cancer. Her goal is to collect a postcard from every state in the US. Please help her reach her goal by mailing her one today!

Her address is:

Mackenzie Maier
23037 Magnolia Glen Drive
Valencia, CA 91354

They have a website with a guestbook and pictures of her with Santa at:

www2.caringbridge.org/ca/mackenziemaier

Posted By:
Straygator
Guest

Lake Julianna and Lake Maddie 01-19-2005 11:49
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 45-50 Degrees
Went out Sat morning to look see, No ducks to be seen, Sat on the edge of the marsh out of the wind and by chance had 2 mottled ducks commit suicide. Sat till 9:30 and gave up. Drove around all the Lakes I could
no ducks anywhere.
Well lets hope that the frigid temps up north give us one last push before the end of the year.

Posted By:
naustin
Guest

Tampa Bay 01-17-2005 07:52
Cloudy, High Winds – 50-60 Degrees
Hunted Tampa Bay yesterday. The number of ducks we saw was very depressing. We only had two opportunities, unable to capitalize on any of them. The area that I hunt usually holds thousands of divers. This year the ducks never made it down.

Posted By:
waitinforwaves
Guest

Merritt Island – area 2 01-03-2005 12:38
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 50-60 Degrees
Had to make a trip down to FL from WV to pick up my girlfriend’s kids last week. Had a license from last turkey season so I gave it a try.

Saw some bwt, ringnecks, and a few wigeon when I scouted on Tuesday evening but didn’t see a single duck on Wed. morning. Heard about a dozen shots toward Eddy Cr. Should have brought my boat.

Scouted best I could from the truck around St. John’s River Marsh WMA too. Heard some shots around daylight but couldn’t find an area for a walk-in hunt. Alligators make this mountain boy nervous anyway.

Hope you all get more ducks later in the season.

Posted By:
willdeem
Guest

e. gator creek-Merritt Island 01-03-2005 06:15
– – –
Hunted this area saturday and sunday. Just never saw the ducks. On Sunday, I did see several large flights of ducks rising out of the refuge and headed south, but there was just the occasional ducks, and no flights of more than 4-5 that ever came into the hunting areas. There was still plenty of vegetation where I hunted, just no ducks to speak of. I got 4, but really got lucky they just happened to come my way. this was my last hunt for the season, but maybe we’ll get some cold weather, and push some down for you late hunters. Hunt safe.

Posted By:
dakota31400
Guest

Merritt Island 12-30-2004 08:13
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 50-60 Degrees
Tuesday & Wednesday ….. All the birds except for a few blue bills, some mottled ducks and an occasional teal have moved out. The hydrilla in the Refuge impondments near Black Point either took a hit from the cold, or it was sprayed. Either way, it’s all dead and the North Indian River was void of birds. Talked to some other guys from Jacksonville that hunted Mosquito lagoon….also, without any success.

Posted By:
jwilson504
Guest

newbie 12-22-2004 19:01
– – –
Hey fellow waterfowlers. I’m a native Kansan being stationed at Panama City for dive school. I’ve hunted ducks in Kansas for years. I’d like to join someone on a hunt, if I don’t hunt I’d still like to go to see your techniques in the South and see how they compare to what I’ve done in California, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Pm me or post in the regular manner. If I have time from school on a weekend it sure is a great way to recover from a week of getting my ass kicked in training. Good luck and God speed!

Doc Wilson

Posted By:
willdeem
Guest

MERRITT ISLAND 12-19-2004 13:16
Cloudy, High Winds – 60-65 Degrees
tried again in area 2. Not much happening, a few teal flew by before shooting hours, got buzzed by a small flight of pintails, saw some mergansers loitering in our area, but wouldn’t come within range. took a wigeon, that overflew us. Hoping this next week will push birds down. drove through black point refuge and found out the problems, with a good portion of the refuge dry, the birds should really be concentrated in the feeding areas, but guess what, the birds were at a level of about 15% of what they should be-saw a few here and there, but no quantities. guess they all moved off. also noticed that birds were shying away from decoys and blinds. guess the ones that have stayed around for a while have gotten smart. going to try again wednesday, then, i’ll give up and try somewhere else. Happy holidays to all and good hunting…

Posted By:
naustin
Guest

The Big O 12-18-2004 15:52
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 60-65 Degrees
Hunted the Big O again today. Had several long shots 60 + yards, birds have been shot at for couple of weeks now. All birds are call and decoy shy. The one good thing about the Big O is you can always count on putting a mottle duck on the deck. Due to the previous cold spell most of the Teal have migrated further south. Saw lots of new ducks on there way down all divers. Due to the cold spell coming from the north I think the diver action will really heat up in the next weeks to come.

^O^

Florida Duck Hunting Report Archive

Posted By:
dakota31400
Guest

Merritt Island 12-17-2004 17:53
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 50-60 Degrees
Birds moved out sometime between Moday evening and Tuesday Morning. Prevaling North winds have blown the the water in the lagoons south leaving very shallow conditions along the shoreline in Northern areas….Mucho work to hunt the shoreline North of Frontenac…..and no birds. Manatee zones have made navigation impossible to run the flats on a plane, and unless you know the river, choppy conditions in deeper water requires experience mariners. I have lost two friends to this river and mosquito lagoon in the last thirty years trying to hunting this area…If you choose to dare the devil, be prepared,,,especially with children. Small craft aluminum hulls will come apart when this river gets angry…..and it does 5 out of seven days a week.

Posted By:
willdeem
Guest

E. Gator Creek impoundment, Merritt Island 12-16-2004 16:43
Cloudy, High Winds – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
Scouted this area Tuesday, figured it would be a bust due to the lack of birds flying and the heavy winds. There were birds in the catfish creek area, and some in the E. Gator creek. Saw Shovelers, teal, mottle ducks, and some wigeons. The Wednesday hunt was heavy winds, and cold. Very few ducks at all flying until I left at 9:45 All the ducks came out of the refuge, dropped down right over the road adjacent to the cover where you can’t shoot. Got overflown by some teal, and some wigeons, but nothing was buying our dekes or whatever. Shot a teal and male shoveler. Cold and windy day-the game guys said nobody did well. P.s. all the birds were in peacock pocket-but nobody was apparently hunting it. I’ll try somewhere on Saturday, anybody got any ideas.

Posted By:
upduck
Guest

Orlando Highway Ponds DUCKS! 12-15-2004 09:06
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
HERE COME THE RINGERS….saw several hundered along the causeways in Orlando that have not been there all year. Snow from Michigan to Tennesse! A sure sign of good tings to come this week!

Find em! Whack em!! and Stack em!!

Posted By:
willdeem
Guest

meritt island 12-12-2004 18:29
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
watched from the dike at catfish as thousands of pintails and widgeons, mottled ducks, teal etc picked up out of the refuge area, circled and then landed in catfish creek. One of my buds said it was the closest thing he’d ever seen since Louisiana. anyway, the game and fish guys said it was a turkey shoot for about 15 minutes. Scouted peacocks pocket area, saw a few mottled ducks, maybe 20-30 and put in in off of bayou lab rd. busted up several pockets of widgeons and teal. came back the next am and killed 4 teal. all of the ducks were on the permit areas, but someone was banging over in mosquito lagoon. cannot believe all of this beautiful habitat, and yet the ducks are so concentrated. have a permit for peacock for wednesday, so see how I’ll do.

Posted By:
takeem
Guest

St . George island area 12-12-2004 16:12
– – –
Im coming down from maryland around christmas any info about waterfowling would be appricated

Posted By:
naustin
Guest

Lake Okeechobee 11-28-2004 16:10
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – Over 70 Degrees
Hunted the Big O Saturday and Sunday. Lots of action Saturday until noon. limited out on Fl. Mallards and dropped a few teal. Lots of teal and ringers in the distance. High hunting pressure kept the duck moving. Sunday was slow skies to clear, most shooting at sunrise dropped 4 teal. The afternoon was slow for most hunters skies cleared and the ducks stayed grounded. Over all fair hunt bagged nine ducks.

Posted By:
willdeem
Guest

merrit island, mosquito lagoon area 11-28-2004 08:42
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
hunted here wednesday and saturday am. wednesday was pretty much a bust. talked to several hunters, they had 2-3 ducks apiece. one group had gotten 7 for 3 hunters. everybody saying the same thing-the ducks here are resident ducks, or the isolated stragglers. Saturday, I did see more ducks-got overflown several times by mottled ducks-should have gotten several, but we stink at shooting and keeping our eyes open, got one instead. did see some teal and pintails flying, but wouldn’t come down. had a flock of geese(?) across from us, but they didn’t stay long. maybe it will get better after next 2 weeks. talked to some buds in coastal carolina, and they say the same thing, they aren’t coming down yet.

Posted By:
willdeem
Guest

st. johns river – N and S of SR 50 11-25-2004 18:27
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – Over 70 Degrees
Talked to some guys that said they did ok in this area on opening, and decided to check it out. The area S. of the bridge is flooded extensively, and I was running for 5-6 miles outside the channel in about 6″ of water, saw one flight of three teal that I bumped when I came around a corner, but they never came back. Saw an isolated duck or two, but nothing to hunt. Wind was 15-20k from the W/NW. worked both sides of the lake, but nada. I talked to 3 other groups of hunters at the ramp, they took 2 ducks between the three boats. Went north of the bridge up to cane lake-very open, lots of little pockets, but about 5-6′ deep. and no hydrilla of nothing for puddle ducks. Potential for woodies exists because there are numerous hammocks in the lake that are flooded.

Posted By:
willdeem
Guest

merritt island-area 2 11-24-2004 16:28
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Hunted Merritt area 2. didn’t see a single duck, until 7:30, when we had a teal swing by, and saw a flight of about a dozen in the distance. Didn’t hear the first shot till 0730, and it was way off. Picked up and moved, but still very very few ducks. Saw a total of 20 teal, and a mottle duck. Most of the hunters we talked to were amazed at the lack of activity-wind was from S & SW at about 10-15.

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

Newnan\’s 11-23-2004 14:11
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
Hunted Newnan’s opening day. Three woodies came into shooting range. I saw only three Woodies and about five Ringer’s. When we got back to the boat ramp the only bag for 9 hunters was five ducks. A couple of woodies and BWT. I am going to Emeralda in the AM will post later.

Florida Duck Hunting Report Archive

Posted By:
willdeem
Guest

emeralda 11-22-2004 15:01
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – Over 70 Degrees
hunted emeralda sunday am. had two other people in my spot, so hunted in another area. didn’t do squat, but they sure did. note: these guys had over 100 decoys out, and were using a heron confidence decoy. Sounded like WWII, and after I pulled in I sat watching them through a spotting scope, and they were pulling in ducks….mostly ringers from what I could see. I hardly saw any ducks myself, isolated single teals and ringers, got one of each. also noticed that the ducks were running down channels instead of overflying the reed beds, I may try setting up along one of the channels next time.

Posted By:
ducksrme2003
Guest

lake talguin 11-22-2004 04:24
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
seen alot of woodies on lake talquin could of took our limit in 10 minutes of but just we stink at shooting good luck fallas

get em wet

Posted By:
willdeem
Guest

emeralda 11-19-2004 09:18
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 60-65 Degrees
Scouted emeralda today. Saw 1 pair of woodies, one pair of mallards, 1 group of 7 ringers, another group of 5, and the occasional single or pair. Lots of coots, the lake is down about a foot in area 3. Very disappointed. Talked to a couple of regulars, they said that this time last year there were tons of ducks here. Where’s the ducks????

Posted By:
will gregor
Guest

Big O 11-19-2004 00:22
– – –
Has anyone been seeing any decent numbers on the Big O.

shoot’em in the face!

Posted By:
crowhater
Web Member

11-17-2004 15:34
– – –
I have a friend who has been in Florida for a couple of months now helping them folks recover from all those storms. He loves to duck hunt and has brought all his gear with him but he does not know anything about the state. He asked me to find out if any of you guys would help a country boy out with a hunt. I am sure he will pay for fuel and work his butt off, he has a boat but it is back here in Texas. This is a real good guy and I would not put my name to this if I did not feel this way about him. His name is Hank Shank and his cell phone number is 832-248-8008. He is staying in Vero beach area at Port Saint Loucy. Hank told me he will drive as far as he needs to for a chance to shoot a duck. Once again this is a real good guy who has been away from his family trying to make a little money in a state that needed a hand.

Thanks!

Posted By:
will gregor
Guest

11-15-2004 18:41
– – –
Has anyone been been out to orange lake? If so did you see any birds?

Posted By:
upduck
Guest

Lake Garfield (off of Hwy 60) 11-14-2004 20:22
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – Over 70 Degrees
Blue and Greenwing Teal showing up more and more everyday. I know where I am setting up opening day!

Posted By:
willdeem
Guest

S. lake county 11-14-2004 10:46
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – Over 70 Degrees
Drove around S. lake county this am. Saw several groups of teal-4-6 ducks in some of the retention ponds in the area. Didn’t see anything from the road in the more open water areas.

Posted By:
ducksrme2003
Guest

lake jackson 11-13-2004 10:45
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
i live in tallahassee not hunting but was scouting and seen alot and alot of ring necks on lake jackson they gave us a beautiful show for an hour from 1730to1830 and a group of 4 bufflehead good lucks folks

Posted By:
Rawhide
Guest

Kissimmee River 11-11-2004 08:20
– – –
Saw large flocks of green wings, a few blue wings. Tons of woodies going to small flag ponds.

The Lake O reports are not optimistic. Few flocks around of teal, mottled and some ringers, but not the big numbers yet. Ain’t it always the way?

Florida Duck Hunting Report Archive

Posted By:
will gregor
Guest

11-10-2004 21:35
– – –
Has anyone been seeing and concentrations of birds? teal or ringers?

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

Emeralda 11-08-2004 17:49
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 60-65 Degrees
Went there Sunday morning. Same as reported below but also seen BWT and GWT.

Posted By:
dakota31400
Guest

11-08-2004 10:14
– – –
Just heard Ritter Island was gone, all the channels and passes are clogged with debris and it’s just not the same place anymore….Waterlevel is presently at 17.5 ft. (+/-) Have some friends gonna scout in the next week or so.

Posted By:
will gregor
Guest

11-07-2004 22:04
– – –
Is anyone seeing birds on the Big O.

Posted By:
willdeem
Guest

lake griffin 11-07-2004 12:31
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Scouted Lake Griffin area from area 4 South to ARea 1 N to mouth of Ockalawaha. NO DUCKS. Did see lots of coots and herons, ospreys, etc. Lots of hydrilla along portions of E. side of Griffin alongside E. Marsh.

Posted By:
willdeem
Guest

Emeralda Marsh 11-05-2004 18:41
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Scouted Emeralda last Saturday. Lots of hydrilla, lots of coots. Saw 6 ringnecks, a florida mallard, and got overflown by a pair of woods down on the south side of area 3. Water depth in area 5 was 5′ plus, area 3 was 2.5′ will

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

Central Florida 11-02-2004 16:34
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Went to three lakes in the past two weeks. I have not seen alot of activity. I have only made mid-day scouts. I will be making my first AM scout this weekend. All I have seen so far is egrets, moorhens and a handful of coots. I have seen some local woodies flying over some parts of Northeast Marion county. Water levels are high. Orange lake is accessible in most places. Newnan’s is also real high. Hoping the activity will pick up soon!

Posted By:
dakota31400
Guest

11-01-2004 20:56
– – –
Lotta pretty girls

Posted By:
cnels
Guest

10-23-2004 19:55
– – –
hello everyone my name is Craig. I am from wisconsin. I am moving down their Nov.8. Although wi. isn’t the best waterfowl paridise around it is fun. What can I expect down their. Any help would be great. I am going to be in Pensacola.

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

Marion/Southern Alachua County 10-06-2004 20:39
Arctic Blast – Over 70 Degrees
Not exactly an artic blast, but hey they did not have a hurricane option. Went out and seen alot of land since all the damage. Theres alot of water out there. In my area the lakes are overflowed and it opened up alot of areas. It also covered up alot of ripe vegetation. It’s gonna spread them out so I don’t want a d@3n fool within 200 yards of me this year! Spread out! Your gonna have to work this year to find a prime spot. And by the time you find it, rest assured that at least 3 others already know about it. Get out there and find a spot and watch the conditions, becasue it could still change. 😀

FWC Workshop
FWC WORKSHOPS HELP CREATE A STRATEGY FOR ALL NATIVE FLORIDA WILDLIFE

October 5, 2004
Contacts: Angie Raines (850) 488-4676
Christine Small (850) 410-0656 x 17285

Florida has an unprecedented opportunity to shape the future of its fish and wildlife conservation programs. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will lead a project to develop a long-range strategy for managing all of the state’s wildlife, including fish and invertebrates, with the aim of averting future declines and keeping common species common.

Congress has challenged each state and territory to develop a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy by Oct. 1, 2005, and made it a requirement for participating in the federal State Wildlife Grants program. The non-regulatory strategies will seek ways to prevent species’ declines and empower states to meet species’ needs.

Florida’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy will evaluate the status of the state’s wildlife and will prioritize conservation efforts. The process will update and solidify 30 years of existing conservation plans and integrate these efforts into a single state strategy. The Strategy will become a blueprint for keeping our fish and wildlife populations healthy.

“This is probably the most ambitious and innovative effort we have ever undertaken to address conservation for all of our state’s fish and wildlife,” said Thomas Eason, leader of FWC’s Species Conservation Planning Section. “This Strategy will create a holistic approach to wildlife conservation for Florida.”

The FWC needs help from all of its conservation partners. That includes other state and federal agencies, local governments, universities, citizen groups and individuals – anyone concerned with conserving Florida’s valuable fish and wildlife resources. The collaborative process of developing state strategies is meant to build partnerships and to encourage strategic thinking about individual and coordinated roles.

“This extremely important endeavor depends on the cooperation of Florida’s conservation partners. We encourage people to attend our public workshops and get involved,” Eason said.

The FWC has scheduled public workshops around the state to give people an opportunity to learn more about the project and help create the Strategy. Here is the schedule:

DATE
TIME
LOCATION

Monday, October 18 6:30-8:30 p.m. Leon Co. Public Library
200 W. Park Ave.
Tallahassee

Tuesday, October 19 6:30-8:30 p.m. Conference Center at Cecil Commerce Center
13561 Lake Newman St.
Jacksonville

Wednesday, October 20 6:30-8:30 p.m. Osceola Heritage Park
Exhibition Hall, Kissimmee-A
1875 Silver Spur Lane
Kissimmee

Thursday, October 21 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fla. Dept. of Transportation
11201 N. Malcolm McKinley Dr.
Tampa

Friday, October 22 6:30-8:30 p.m. International Game Fish Assoc.
300 Gulf Stream Way
Dania Beach

Florida Duck Hunting Report Archive

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

08-27-2004 20:38
– – –
Copy of letter wrote to the FWC from UW-F, please take the time to read it and let the FWC know how you feel:

The Officers and Board of Directors of United Waterfowlers – Florida would like to ask you to place the limited Canvasback & Pintail season the last 30 days of our normal waterfowl season. During much discussion we learned several things:

While early seasons are acceptable for the Panhandle region of the state, Canvasbacks are late migrants to the peninsular region of Florida. Early seasons deny the majority of the state the opportunity to harvest one of these magnificent birds.

Last year, Florida placed the limited seasons during the first 30 days, while Georgia placed their seasons the last 30 days. This virtually allowed anyone hunting Lake Seminole to hunt Canvasbacks and Pintails for the full 60 days of season – provided they were in possession of a GA license and hunting the GA section of the lake. We do not believe that this was the intent of the state, nor do we believe that it is beneficial to the resource. Even the hunters of the Lake Seminole region admit that Canvasback populations are much higher later in the season.

Our polling of members and of the general public show that most people would prefer to have both seasons the last 30 days. Here are the raw figures:

Member Data

Both species early 7%
Pintails early/Canvasbacks late 20%
Both species late 73%

Public Data

Both species early 14%
Both species late 86%

Considering the mild and/or late winters that we have been experiencing in the state, Canvasbacks, in particular, have been extremely late in migrating into the majority of the state. Florida is the wintering ground for these species; therefore, our seasons should be as late as possible. This is the primary reason for the request. This request would also align our hunting regulations with our northern neighbors.

Thanks in advance for your support. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding our position on this issue. If you would like one of our officers to appear before the commission, we would be honored to do so.

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

Help!! Pin/Can Season 08-24-2004 12:41
– – –
If you would like to see a change in the way the Canvasback and Pintail seasons are handled then please take a minute and e-mail the FWC commissioners with your views:

http://myfwc.com/aboutus/commiss.html

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

08-24-2004 12:39
– – –
The Officers and Board of Directors of United Waterfowlers – Florida would like to ask you to place the limited Canvasback & Pintail season the last 30 days of our normal waterfowl season. During much discussion we learned several things:

While early seasons are acceptable for the Panhandle region of the state, Canvasbacks are late migrants to the peninsular region of Florida. Early seasons deny the majority of the state the opportunity to harvest one of these magnificent birds.

Last year, Florida placed the limited seasons during the first 30 days, while Georgia placed their seasons the last 30 days. This virtually allowed anyone hunting Lake Seminole to hunt Canvasbacks and Pintails for the full 60 days of season – provided they were in possession of a GA license and hunting the GA section of the lake. We do not believe that this was the intent of the state, nor do we believe that it is beneficial to the resource. Even the hunters of the Lake Seminole region admit that Canvasback populations are much higher later in the season.

Our polling of members and of the general public show that most people would prefer to have both seasons the last 30 days. Here are the raw figures:

Member Data

Both species early 7%
Pintails early/Canvasbacks late 20%
Both species late 73%

Public Data

Both species early 14%
Both species late 86%

Considering the mild and/or late winters that we have been experiencing in the state, Canvasbacks, in particular, have been extremely late in migrating into the majority of the state. Florida is the wintering ground for these species; therefore, our seasons should be as late as possible. This is the primary reason for the request. This request would also align our hunting regulations with our northern neighbors.

Thanks in advance for your support. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding our position on this issue. If you would like one of our officers to appear before the commission, we would be honored to do so.

Posted By:
tsiwarski
Guest

08-23-2004 12:36
– – –
BE A PART OF A WATERFOWL STUDY

My name is Tom Siwarski and I am currently a graduate student at LSU working on my masters degree in waterfowl biology. I also live and die for waterfowl hunting. I am looking for some help from hunters on my project. My project is basically looking at determining age by differences in tail molt. I am looking at mallards, pintails, gadwalls, lesser scaup, redheads, and ring-necks. I have been absolutely thrilled with the help that I have received by hunters so far. It is awesome to see how many guys are willing to help out in order to contribute to science that will enable us to keep healthy populations of ducks into the future. I don’t know how many guys told me “anything to help the ducks.” Last year hunters saved me approximately 1000 carcasses!!! This kind of willingness to contribute made me proud to say I was a waterfowl hunter. I basically need to look at a lot of duck carcasses that are killed through out the hunting season. I would need intact birds except for the breast meat, they can still be breasted. I just need the internal organs and feathers still intact. I would need the ducks frozen until I have them shipped to me (my budget covers this) or until I can stop by and pick them up. If you are interested in being a part of this project or just want to talk about details of the project or duck hunting drop me an email. It is best if you email me instead of placing a post due to the fact that it takes a considerable amount of time to check the post for each state.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Tom Siwarski

tsiwarski@hotmail.com

Posted By:
IAtaxidermist
Guest

Hurricane Country 08-13-2004 23:44
– – –
Good luck and God Bless!

Posted By:
Chris Vogel
Guest

Bonnie and Charley 08-13-2004 11:02
– – –
Good luck down there folks! Hope yall make it through OK!!

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

08-12-2004 07:35
– – –
Job Application …
NAME: John Kerry

RESIDENCE: 7 mansions, including Washington DC, worth multi-millions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Law Enforcement. I voted to cut every law enforcement, CIA and defense bill in my career as a US Senator. I ordered Boston to remove a fire hydrant in front of my mansion, thereby endangering my neighbors in the event of fire.

MILITARY: I used three minor injuries to get an early discharge from the military and service in Vietnam (as documented by the attending doctor). I then returned to the US, joined Jane Fonda in protesting the war, and insulted returning Vietnam vets, claiming they committed atrocities and were baby killers. I threw my medals, ribbons, or something away in protest. Or did I? My book, “Vietnam Veterans Against the War: The New Soldier” shows how I truly feel about the military.

COLLEGE: I graduated from Yale University with a low C average. Unlike my counterpart George Bush, I have no higher education and did not get admitted to Harvard nor graduate with an M.B.A

PAST WORK EXPERIENCE: I ran for U.S. Congress and have been there ever since. I have no real world experience except marrying rich women and running HJ Heinz vicariously through my wife Teresa.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: As a US Senator I set the record for the most liberal voting record, exceeding even Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton. I have consistently failed to support our military and CIA by voting against budgets, thus gutting our country’s ability to defend itself. Although I voted for the Iraq War, now I am against it and refuse to admit that I voted for it. I voted for every liberal piece of legislation. I have no plan to help this country but I intend to raise taxes significantly if I am elected.

My wealth so far exceeds that of my counterpart, George Bush, that he will never catch up. I make no or little charitable contributions and have never agreed to pay any voluntary excess taxes in MA, despite family wealth in excess of $700 million.
I (we) own 28 manufacturing plants (Heinz) outside of the U.S., in places like Asia, Mexico and Europe. We can make more profit from the cheaper cost of labor in those Countries, although I blame George Bush for sending all of the jobs out of country.
Although I claim to be in favor of alternative energy sources, Ted Kennedy and I oppose windmills off Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard as it might spoil our view of the ocean as we cruise on our yachts.

RECORDS AND REFERENCES: None.

PERSONAL: I ride a Serotta Bike. My Gulfstream V Jet I call The Flying Squirrel. I call my $850,000 42-foot Hinckleytwin diesel yacht the “Scarmouche”. I am fascinated by rap and hip-hop and feel it reflects our real culture. I own several “Large” SUVs including one parked at my Nantucket summer mansion, though I am against large polluting inefficient vehicles and blame George Bush for the energy problems.

PLEASE CONSIDER MY EXPERIENCE WHEN VOTING IN 2004. THEN VOMIT AND VOTE FOR A REAL PRESIDENT!!

Posted By:
tsiwarski
Guest

08-03-2004 14:43
– – –
BE A PART OF A WATERFOWL STUDY

My name is Tom Siwarski and I am currently a graduate student at LSU working on my masters degree in waterfowl biology. I also live and die for waterfowl hunting. I am looking for some help from hunters on my project. My project is basically looking at determining age by differences in tail molt. I am looking at mallards, pintails, gadwalls, lesser scaup, redheads, and ring-necks. I have been absolutely thrilled with the help that I have received by hunters so far. It is awesome to see how many guys are willing to help out in order to contribute to science that will enable us to keep healthy populations of ducks into the future. I don’t know how many guys told me “anything to help the ducks.” Last year hunters saved me approximately 1000 carcasses!!! This kind of willingness to contribute made me proud to say I was a waterfowl hunter. I basically need to look at a lot of duck carcasses that are killed through out the hunting season. I would need intact birds except for the breast meat, they can still be breasted. I just need the internal organs and feathers still intact. I would need the ducks frozen until I have them shipped to me (my budget covers this) or until I can stop by and pick them up. If you are interested in being a part of this project or just want to talk about details of the project or duck hunting drop me an email. It is best if you email me instead of placing a post due to the fact that it takes a considerable amount of time to check the post for each state.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Tom Siwarski

tsiwarski@hotmail.com

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

07-27-2004 08:51
– – –

From time to time you all receive notices which ask you to write or e-mail a public official. I know these come from many organizations you may be affiliated with. It’s easy to put it off, or be “too busy”. What’s one more e-mail going to do anyway?

Recently the Army Corp of Engineers asked for public comment on the regulations that govern how water is managed in Lake Okeechobee. How long have you heard citizens from all over south and central Florida complaining about how the Lake is managed. Hundreds of people that fish the estuaries were ready storm the SFWMD offices to stop the discharges. Thousands were concerned all over the state. 800 people showed up at a rally at the Lake.

Do you know how many public comments the Corp received? The Stuart News got the comments through a freedom of information act request. There were 16!

Your 1 e-mail or letter does make a difference!
If you care about these issues, please join in and be part of the VOICE.

David J. Lithgow
United Waterfowlers – Florida Inc

PS Oh by the way, UW-F was one of the 16!

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

07-27-2004 08:46
– – –
THE FUTURE OF HUNTING IN FLORIDA
UW-F VIEWPOINT

Newton E. Cook
President UW-F

Hunting in Florida faces multiple challenges. A rapidly growing population that demographically does not have hunting experience and requiring infrastructure that reduces natural habitat is potentially the threat that could end public hunting in all but the most remote parts of the state. If hunting is to be available to the public hunter in future years, provisions must be made now to protect enough natural habitat, especially in the south and along the coastal regions, to allow thousands of participants access to the sport near home with a minimum of expense and red tape. The state, federal, water district and other public land now owned and acquired in the future by the taxpayers must be open to hunting unless there are compelling safety reasons. Hunting must not be limited to the wealthy and elite or general support will dwindle and bring restrictions and/or bans.

Waterfowling is impacted by coastal and shoreline development. Loss of hunting on waters near shoreline development due to “noise” is a particular problem. Protection of hunting rights on navigable waters is needed, even inside city limits, unless there is physical danger to citizens. The lack of a reasonable number of access points, boat ramps, to water bodies restricts public use. Habitat is sometimes destroyed by water management district, Corps of Engineers or other governmental construction projects. Wetlands are protected in Florida, but alterations in habitat and development to the very edge of the habitat often reduces hunting opportunities.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?
WATERFOWL

UNITED WATERFLOWERS-FL is specifically involved with the improvement of hunting opportunities and success for Florida duck hunters. Some suggestions follow:

1. Open ALL public wetlands to waterfowling during the season. Only exception for closing an area would be safety.
2. Open All WMAs to waterfowling during the season. Only exception for closing a WMA would be the days of SPECIAL QUOTA or QUOTA hunts. Waterfowling would be open during season even when all other hunting activity was closed on the WMA.
3. Pass a state law preventing the closing of hunting on navigable waterways for “nuisance” reasons. Require a compelling safety reason, with challenge protection for the public.
4. Pass a state law requiring the state EPA to access each herbicide spraying project on public waters for (negative) impacts on resident and migrating waterfowl. Require spraying to be scheduled at times that are not detrimental to waterfowl nutrition and health.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?
GENERAL HUNTING

UW-F has a general philosophy of increasing access and reducing “management” or red tape for the public hunter. The following suggestions are for public land, including the WMAs. Generally, the KISSIMMEE PUBLIC USE AREA is an excellent example of public hunting opportunity. The suggestions are restricted to public land as the current hunting practices on private land rarely impact the public hunter. There is a need to greatly expand opportunity for a larger number of public hunters to access public land for hunting. If a larger number of hunters are to be allowed on the land, seasons and limits must be adjusted to both protect the resource populations and allow a reasonable success rate for as many hunters as possible.

1. Statewide (or FWC REGION) PUBLIC LAND HUNTING SEASONS are suggested for all game. These dates would be set based on sustainable resources. They may or may not be the same as for private lands. Deer and spring turkey would probably be split seasons of two weeks each, with a two week fall season for turkeys.
2. Statewide (or FWC REGION) PUBLIC LAND HARVEST LIMITS are suggested for all game. Small game limits would probably be the same as for private land. Deer and turkey would probably be limited to two each per hunter per year on all public lands. These limits would be managed by a tag system. Two turkey and two deer tags would be attached (or printed on) the PUBLIC LAND HUNTING PERMIT ( the current WMA permit). The hunter’s license number would be recorded on the tags. The appropriate tag would be applied to the animal at the harvest site. Anyone caught moving or transporting an untagged animal would be fined a minimum of $500 and lose public land hunting rights for 5 years.
3. SPECIALITY QUOTA HUNTS are to be ended.
4. REGULAR QUOTA HUNTS on WMAs are to be limited to the first 5 days of the Statewide (or FWC REGION) PUBLIC LAND HUNTNG SEASON for the species. After the 5 days, the WMA would be open for the duration of the statewide season. All WMAs would be open during all the same days as per the PUBLIC LAND HUNTING SEASON dates. No quota hunt staggered dates

Florida Duck Hunting Report Archive

Posted By:
Rawhide
Guest

07-22-2004 08:40
– – –
Great post Kenneth. A good reason for everyone with sporting firearms to join the NRA.

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

07-21-2004 07:07
– – –
We report you decide…

Hidden Agenda

THE TRUTH behind John Kerry’s record on your firearms rights.

by Wayne LaPierre

If you thought the eight long years of the Clinton/Gore administration`s war on firearms owners` rights were oppressive, they would pale in comparison to what John Kerry would have in store for us if he captures the White House and evicts President George W. Bush in November.

John Kerry–whose record of words and misdeeds on firearms rights has earned him a key place among the most solid “F” candidates ever rated by the National Rifle Association–is now posing as a self-styled “lifelong hunter and gun owner,” a faux good old boy who says, “I believe in the Second Amendment.”

But as someone who has hunted, he’s not one of us. He’s a silver-spoon Boston Brahman–an ideological blood brother to his mentor, Teddy Kennedy.

He’s married to a billionaire heiress whose “favorite charity,” the Tides Foundation, has pumped a small fortune into anti-gun rights schemes.

Kerry, during his 20-year stint in the U.S. Senate, has been an always reliable vote for the anti-gunners and has routinely voted with the gun-ban movement since he was elected as the junior member from Massachusetts. At the heart of the real John Kerry is an unthinking zealot who has never missed an opportunity to work to diminish our rights.

For his long history of anti-gun rights votes and positions, he consistently receives a 100-percent rating from the Brady Campaign (Handgun Control Inc.), the American Bar Association’s Special Committee on Gun Violence and from the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (formerly the National Coalition to Ban Handguns). All of these groups deny the existence of an individual right to keep and bear arms, and some are actively using the courts in an attempt to destroy Americans` Second Amendment freedoms.

On issues directly affecting Second Amendment rights, Kerry has voted 51 of 55 times against you on the floor of the Senate. For all we’ve read lately about how enemies of the Second Amendment are shying away from the “gun control” issue in this election year, a series of votes in the U.S. Senate in March changed all that, with Kerry eagerly taking center stage.

In working to sabotage S.1805–the NRA-backed legislation to stop the endless series of predatory lawsuits aimed at strangling the law-abiding firearms industry–Kerry voted to extend the Clinton gun ban on semi-autos, to make now-legal private gun sales at gun shows criminal acts, and voted to support Ted Kennedy`s ammunition ban, which would have prohibited most centerfire hunting rounds.Where Kerry says he “will defend hunting rights,” the accolades of “animal rights” activists tell a different story.

The Humane Society of the United States and Fund for Animals–both rabidly anti-hunting–gave John Kerry a 100 percent mark for the first session of the current Congress. They cited John Kerry as among Senators who have “compiled consistently excellent voting records on animal issues . . .” and who “have emerged as animal protection leaders . . . Kerry has cosponsored almost every piece of animal protection legislation . . . introduced on behalf of animals.”

Kerry is the poster boy for a secret scheme hatched by billionaire Andrew McKelvey’s Americans for Gun Safety, (AGS) whereby anti-gun rights Democratic candidates cloak themselves in rhetorical camouflage, falsely claiming to embrace the Second Amendment and trying to con hunters into believing that their rights are somehow separate from those of other American gun owners.

Don’t take my word for it. Here’s what AGS wrote in its blueprint for “Taking Back the Second Amendment,” prepared last year for the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). Kerry is following all the dots.

It is a battle plan for deceit that counsels anti-gun rights candidates: “The problem that Democrats have on the gun issue has far less to do with the typical policies they espouse than the rhetoric they employ.” In other words, it`s not how you vote, but what you say.

So, now confiscatory firearms prohibition is called “sensible gun safety,” although the abhorrent concept of the knock-in-the-middle-of-the night is just the same as it always has been.

That theme of dissembling is amplified by an accompanying DLC cover memo announcing, “The DLC and Americans for Gun Safety (AGS) believe that progressives need not change their positions in order to dramatically reduce, and in some cases reverse, conservative advantages with these groups.” Groups? Try NRA.

They are talking about lying, about sleight of hand, trickery–basically outright fraud.

“Taking Back the Second Amendment” means recreating the Second Amendment; twisting its clear meaning to the same dark purpose expressed by then-President Clinton’s Solicitor General Seth Waxman who wrote in an August 2000 letter to an NRA member: “In light of the constitutional history, it must be considered as settled that there is no personal constitutional right, under the Second Amendment, to own or to use a gun.”

Kerry is right in step with the AGS-DLC war-plan: “progressives need not change their positions.” Simply change the “rhetoric they employ.”In working to sabotage the NRA-backed legislation to stop the endless series of lawsuits aimed at strangling the law-abiding firearms industry, Kerry read the AGS wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing script to a tee when the issue was debated on March 4.

He told the Senate, “I believe strongly in the Second Amendment. I believe in the right to bear arms as it has been interpreted in our country”. This is a vital “qualifier” coming from a man who, if elected president, would be nominating federal judges and Supreme Court justices to interpret our rights.

Kerry and also-ran presidential candidate and trial lawyer John Edwards were among those who cast the deciding votes on what proved to be “poison pill” amendments to the lawsuit tort reform bill: Dianne Feinstein’s 10-year extension of the Clinton semi-auto ban and a new version of John McCain’s so-called “gun show loophole” law, which would criminalize now-legal private commerce between peaceable individuals at gun shows.

Kerry–during his national media performance on the Senate floor –broke a missing-in-action streak that saw him absent from the Senate for 65 percent of all votes in 2003 and every single vote up to that date this year. It’s stunning: Out of 20 roll-call votes in 2004, these gun ban votes were the first he cast in the Senate all year.

But he was back–flying from his “super-Tuesday” primary campaigning. Goring gun owners was apparently just too important to miss–this month’s cover says it all.

During his Senate appearance, Kerry also went out of his way to directly attack NRA members, saying, “Let’s be honest about what we are facing today.” Referring to the Clinton gun ban, he said, “The opposition to this common-sense gun safety law is being driven by the powerful NRA special interest leadership and by lobbyists in Washington. I don’t believe this is the voice of responsible gun owners across America.”

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

06-25-2004 11:47
– – –
Win a Beretta Xtrema 3.5
WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN!

United Waterfowlers – Florida, Inc. is holding a raffle for a very nice Beretta Xtrema 3.5 shotgun. This is a top of the line waterfolwing gun that anyone would be proud to own. We limit ticket sales to 1000 and the drawing will be held at the Bass Pro Shops Dania, Fall Classic on August 1, 2004.

Please visit

http://www.unitedwaterfowlersfl.org/mainfundraising.html

for more information or to purchase tickets online with your Credit Card.

Your tickets will be entered in the drawing and the stubs will be mailed to the address you give on that page.

Good luck to all

Posted By:
Rawhide
Guest

05-20-2004 14:41
– – –
Florida Bill Would Fund Anti-Hunting Group

A bill headed to Governor Jeb Bush’s desk would use taxpayer dollars to fund one the nation’s largest anti-hunting groups, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

In the final days of Florida’s Legislative session, Senate Bill 2020 was amended to create a special “Animal Friend” license plate that would funnel dollars directly to HSUS, if signed by the governor. HSUS would receive all net annual use fees associated with the plate after the state recovers set up costs.

Sportsmen are calling this bill no friend to either Florida’s wildlife or the state’s nearly 200,000 hunter/conservationists.

“Senate bill 2020 is a threat to the most significant group contributing their time and money for wildlife management, and that’s Florida sportsmen,” said Bill Marvin, Florida chapter president for the National Wild Turkey Federation. “If the bill is signed, the Humane Society of the United States will use taxpayer money to oppose the great work that hunters are doing for the benefit of all wildlife and Florida citizens.”

While people often confuse the HSUS with local animal shelters, it does not operate or oversee any of these facilities. HSUS is the nation’s largest anti-hunting organization with revenues topping $60 million. While Americans contribute millions of dollars to HSUS, charity watchdogs haven’t given the organization high marks. HSUS made Charity Navigator’s top 10 list for inefficient fundraisers while the American Institute of Philanthropy gave the group a D rating for spending over 50 percent of its expenses on fundraising.

“Putting taxpayer money towards a group determined to destroy the wildlife management model that restored this country’s white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and our nation’s symbol, the bald eagle, is just bad business,” said Rob Keck, CEO for the NWTF. “Few people realize that our nation’s hunters have footed the bill for wildlife in this country through license fees, excise taxes on hunting gear and membership to organizations like the Turkey Federation.”

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, one of the nation’s leading sportsmen advocacy groups, is partnering with NWTF to encourage Florida hunters and anglers to oppose this bill.

Because the bill was amended and passed by the House and Senate within a five-day period, sportsmen had little time to voice their concerns. However, the bill is expected to hit Governor Bush’s desk any day now, so there’s still time to voice your opinion. Call the Governor’s Legislative Affairs office at (850)-488-5000 or the Governor’s Office at (850) 488-2272 and ask Governor Jeb Bush to veto SB 2020. You can also email the Governor at jeb@jeb.org.

Posted By:
Rawhide
Guest

The world 05-18-2004 11:20
– – –
To the Florida members:
If you haven’t visited the discussion forums lately, there is a drive started called American Military Appreciation Program. It’s to raise funds for a fullpage ad in Waterfowler.com’s magazine coming out in Sept. to honor and thank our veterans. As of today there is only one donor from Florida. Please step up to the plate on this, gents. It’s a good thing we’re doing here. Please go to the forum for more information and the address where to send your donations. Thanks.

Posted By:
tsiwarski
Guest

04-20-2004 13:17
– – –
BE A PART OF A WATERFOWL STUDY

My name is Tom Siwarski and I am currently a graduate student at LSU working on my masters degree in waterfowl biology. I also live and die for waterfowl hunting. I am looking for some help from hunters on my project. My project is basically looking at determining age by differences in tail molt. I am looking at mallards, pintails, gadwalls, lesser scaup, redheads, and ring-necks. I have been absolutely thrilled with the help that I have received by hunters so far. It is awesome to see how many guys are willing to help out in order to contribute to science that will enable us to keep healthy populations of ducks into the future. I don’t know how many guys told me “anything to help the ducks.” Last year hunters saved me approximately 1000 carcasses!!! This kind of willingness to contribute made me proud to say I was a waterfowl hunter. I basically need to look at a lot of duck carcasses that are killed through out the hunting season. I would need intact birds except for the breast meat, they can still be breasted. I just need the internal organs and feathers still intact. I would need the ducks frozen until I have them shipped to me (my budget covers this) or until I can stop by and pick them up. If you are interested in being a part of this project or just want to talk about details of the project or duck hunting drop me an email.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Tom Siwarski

tsiwarski@hotmail.com

Posted By:
naustin
Guest

Tampa 01-26-2004 07:42
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Hunted yesterday, and that’s all I did was Hunt, no killing. Saw birds moving early. Come shooting time the birds were gone. Saw a few singles off in the distance to fare to get them to work in.. This was not how I wanted to end the season.

Posted By:
Straygator
Guest

01-23-2004 17:52
– – –
Blindhog, the areas your talking about, the ones near Lauderdale and Weston

Totally agree lets get rid of the early teal and start it up later when the birds really start getting here!

[Edited By Straygator on 2004-01-23 17:53]

Posted By:
BlindHog
Guest

PCS 01-23-2004 11:36
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 45-50 Degrees
Went to PCS on 1/17, had no action at all where I was on 8b east side, but could hear a few positions tearing it up on 8a and extreme S end of 8b.

I totally agree we should do away with the early season and tack the days onto the end of regular season. I am 0-for the last 3 Early seasons. We really havent yet go the ducks this year yet with the end coming in a few days!

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

Newnan\’s 01-20-2004 08:49
Cloudy, Rain & Thunderstorms – 45-50 Degrees
Got rained out on Fri. night Sat morning. We went to Newnan’s to hunt but ended up getting drenched and the GPS acted up and made for a hell of a trip back through the fog and rain. There was no one else at the ramp when we got back there at 6:10a, but we did hear a few other boats. It took well over 15min. to drain the water out of the boat. I could not believe that there was that much water in the boat. Good luck next weekend!

Florida Duck Hunting Report Archive

Posted By:
naustin
Guest

Tampa 01-19-2004 07:43
Cloudy, Rain & Thunderstorms – 50-60 Degrees
Hunted yesterday very slow in the morning due to the heavy rain. After the rain passed around 8:00 a.m. the birds started to move. My hunting party and I put 5 Ringers on the deck, had more opportunities but did not capitalize on them. I did have a Pintail skirt our decoys, but they are out of season. Saw numerous rafts of ducks 3-4 hundred per raft. We pulled the plug around 12:00 p.m. I have a feeling that the late after noon would have been good.

Posted By:
Straygator
Guest

Mulberry 01-18-2004 19:42
Cloudy, Rain & Thunderstorms – 50-60 Degrees
Went out for the last Hurrah of the season, the boys all meet @5 am. Hunt master Bo tried some Duck Carma Songs before the hunt and made everyone sing them. Out we go, the front is coming, the wind is picking up and we are getting spritzed… I hear ducks buzzing the blind and now I see ducks swimming around the dekes, the cloud cover is keeping it dark so we are well past legal shooting when someone drives in late and a bunch of ducks start getting up, the shooting starts and if it was not for the poor shooting we all should have been done in 30 minutes. My hunting buddy and I shot 6 Blue wing teal (still the major bag and duck flying), 2 ringies, 2 shovelers and 2 mallards. That was my first limit ever! When the front came through there were so many ducks coming in it was unreal. had them land 20 feet away picking up decoys, never would beleive it if it didn’t happen to me!
Saw lots of mallards late.9-10 am and during the rain
teal in single to triples all morning, ringies in doubles
shovelers in groups of 4
When the weather broke and cleared the birds stopped flying!

Only one weekend left, good luck

[Edited By Straygator on 2004-01-18 19:44]

Posted By:
Straygator
Guest

01-17-2004 10:40
– – –
If you have not been reading every other states reports you should.

Serious changes are in order.

Lets get rid of the early teal season. Sure we all like it but how many ducks do you actually see and is it really worth it.

Our Season should run January 1 to January 31 or Jan 7 to Feb 7.

Lets be realistic, We are wholly dependant on the ducks migrating to us. If the season starts later when we could reasonably expect hard winter conditions up north we would all expect better duck hunting.

Here it is late January and I still do not see significant numbers of ducks anywere on my honeyholes. The phosphate ponds are not holding their large rafts either. Several people have been out flying looking for them and cannot find large populations. I do not beleive it is a numbers problem but more habitat weather related.

Posted By:
Sloan-Howard
Guest

01-07-2004 19:21
– – –
Blindhog, how you been? Seminole has some ringers but you have to scout hard for them. I have not heard any reports form the Tally lakes in a couple of weeks, but the reports I have heard have ben very poor.

GaDuckman58, yes you can hunt the Apalachicola Bay. Many of the locals down there do. But it takes some scouting and some careful consideration of the tides to figure it out.

Posted By:
gaduckman58
Magazine Subscriber

01-05-2004 19:13
– – –
does anybody hunt apalach bay?if no why not,or is it legal.w/ the weather we’re havin need to be sight fishin reds anyway!have seen a good many teal on the bay in early oct.while fishing

Posted By:
BlindHog
Guest

N Fla in General 01-05-2004 11:33
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 60-65 Degrees
Anybody seeing any ringnecks anywhere in N Fl, particularly Tallahassee area? (Lakes Iamonia/Miccosukee/Talquin/Seminole)

Whats the deal with the ringers? Seems like Everglades has em but they’re not in the panhandle that I know of.

Posted By:
BlindHog
Guest

PCS 01-05-2004 11:30
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
12/31/03 Hunted PCS Phosphate WMA – Pond 8B s.e. end – Lots of teal decoying readily, along with shovellers. Got limit.

1/3/04 Hunted PCS, saw no teal from my position in 8B middle, bagged one hoodie merg and one bluebill, had to shoot some blackbellied whistlers to get any action, but felt bad, they are so dumb. Lots of ruddies around but cant stomach em.

Posted By:
iluvlabs
Guest

12-30-2003 16:32
– – –
Hey guys,
I dont want to get too much off of the subject, but I am a hunter of all animals. I am in the Navy, and I was wondering if anyone had any info on land that I can lease or that I can hopefully hunt on for free. I would like to hunt for deer and turkey both. I know that there is public land out there, but I would really like to find some good private land, thanks in advance for your help.

DROP EM HARD!!!!

[Edited By iluvlabs on 2003-12-30 16:34]

Posted By:
Straygator
Guest

Everglades 12-29-2003 17:28
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Hunted Saturday 12/27 and Sunday 12/28

Small flocks of Ringnecks, shooting over by 7:30 for the groups, stragglers and singles until 9:30. Not much fat on the ducks.

Can anyone explain the hydrilla turning brown and the hydrilla floating on the surface turning white? I noticed the ducks landed in the areas where the hydrilla was brown and not white. The white stuff collapses on the underlying brown hydrilla and collapses it.

Posted By:
naustin
Guest

Tampa 12-22-2003 08:11
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
Spent a full day in the blind, Saw thousands of birds mostly ringers. Hard to get them to work our decoys due to the large amounts of birds rafting around us. We did most of our shooting towards the later part of the day.

Florida Duck Hunting Report Archive

Posted By:
rearle
WFC Sponsor

Everglades 12-21-2003 13:47
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 40-45 Degrees
Small flocks of ringnecks at first light provided some shooting. After that very slow.

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

PCS- Pond 8B 12-20-2003 16:07
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
High amount of birds flying early morning before shooting time. Seen mostly Shovlers, Ringers and scattered GWT, and Mergansers. Big flock of tree ducks early morning but come shooting time they were gone.

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

INDIAN RIVER LAGOON 12-19-2003 07:58
– – –
Taken from a United Waterfowler’s Florida email:

http://www.unitedwaterfowlersfl.org/

PUBLIC MEETING ON INDIAN RIVER LAGOON-SOUTH PROJECT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District will hold a public meeting on the Indian River Lagoon South Project (IRL-S). The purpose of the meeting is to provide information on the current status of the project and to obtain public comment on the draft Project Implementation Report. This project is a component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).

When: Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Time: 6:30 p.m. Open House / Displays
7:00 p.m. Presentations / Public Comment
Where: Indian Riverside Park, 1707 NE Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957

The IRL-S project features will be located in Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee Counties and will include: reservoirs, storm water treatment areas, natural storage areas and removal of muck within the St. Lucie Estuary. The project will improve the water quality and habitat within the St. Lucie Estuary and the Indian River Lagoon by reducing the damaging effects of watershed runoff, and high peak flow discharges. The project features will control salinity levels while reducing nutrient loads and sediments running into the estuary. The project will restore the wetland-upland mosaic and improve agricultural water supply, while maintaining existing flood protection.

For more information on this project, please contact Michael Rogalski, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at 904-232-1460 or Dave Unsell, South Florida Water Management District, at 561-682-6888. Assistance for individuals with special needs is available by calling Jean Pavlov, at 904-232-1106, at least five days prior to this event.

The draft PIR is posted at http://www.evergladesplan.org/pm/studies/irl_south_pir.cfm

Public comments are being taken until February 10, 2004.

Driving directions to Indian Riverside Park are at http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ed=7_eGhOp_0ToNg.wi0ur0B5X4iOtT4OwqGNExyV.1jkFbRFA-&csz=Jensen+Beach%2C+FL&country=us

Should you wish to be removed from this notification list, please reply to this e-mail with delete in the subject line.

For more information on the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), please visit our web site at www.evergladesplan.org

Posted By:
Straygator
Guest

Mulberry 12-14-2003 13:17
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Saturday 12/14/03

Teal still present in good numbers, Divers showing up as doubles. Saw mallards late evening approx 20, Our bag 1 BW teal drake, 1 GW Teal drake, 2 male ringnecks and 1 large male Hooded Merganser. As usual they like the ponds we do not have access to to the north and south.

Reports from Kissimmee are not good, my buddies are not seeing ducks, same goes for farther south Sebring way.

Good luck

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

Polk County 12-11-2003 06:34
– – –
Taken from a United Waterfowlers – FL email
http://www.unitedwaterfowlersfl.org/

Duck Hunting OK’d

Commissioners adopt a hunting season for Circle B Bar Reserve after a litany of locals’ objections.

By Tom Palmer
The Ledger
tom.palmer@theledger.com

BARTOW — Duck blinds and gunfire will become part of the sight and sounds at the marsh at Circle B Bar Reserve that is frequented by local bird-watchers.

County commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to allow duck hunting this winter in a portion of the reserve, a 1,267-acre site on Lake Hancock purchased in late 2000 under the county’s Environmental Lands Program and opened to the public in February.

Commissioner Neil Combee said a limited duck season was a fair way to share the property.

“Ninety-three percent of the time there will be no hunting there,” he said.

The vote was a defeat for local environmentalists, who warned commissioners that hunting would drive away other visitors and stunt Circle B’s potential to become a premier nature-based attraction to boost local tourism revenue.

Commissioners told county staffers to report back next spring on any problems or user-conflicts that arise.

Marian Ryan, one of the leaders of the effort to defeat hunting at Circle B, was angered by the commission’s action.

“It proves once again we are a backwater where the process means nothing and a selected few have the commission’s ear,” she said.

During Wednesday’s nearly three-hour discussion, six of the seven residents who spoke on the proposal opposed it.

The requests for duck hunting emerged in recent months in a handful of e-mails to commissioners from local businessmen such as Wogan Badcock III, nearly a year after the county scheduled a series of public meetings to get citizen comments on future uses for the property.

The public meetings are part of the process used to prepare management plans for the county’s environmental sites.

Hunting was discussed at those meetings and unanimously rejected.

The Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to commissioners on environmental lands issues, recommended against duck hunting, suggesting instead the county work with hunting groups to improve access to duck hunting on Lake Hancock.

Ryan, a local Sierra Club activist, said she thinks a decision to allow hunting will cause increasing user conflicts as plans progress to develop more trails and wildlife-viewing areas at Circle B.

A staff presentation showed the main trail runs a safe distance from the hunting area, but bird-watchers testified they frequently hike and observe birds from areas much closer.

Ken Morrision, a longtime local environmental leader from Babson Park, said the presence of hunting will deter other outdoor enthusiasts, regardless of assurances they may receive that the danger is minimal.

“You may as well put a sign that says it’s closed to the public,” he said.

Purchase and management of the environmental lands sites are financed from the proceeds of a property tax of 20 cents per $1,000 of taxable value. Voters approved the tax in a 1994 referendum.

Veteran local bird-watcher Chuck Geanangel said Circle B has the potential to attract bird-watchers and other wildlife enthusiasts from all over the country. Geanangel said hunting will drive away wildlife, which was what happened in duck-hunting areas on mined land he visited.

“The birds got up and left,” Geanangel said.

But Jeff McGrady, regional wildlife biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, disputed Geanangel’s assertion.

“The birds leave (when hunting is under way), but return quickly,” he said, citing the number of active bald eagle nests around Lake Kissimmee, a popular area for duck hunting.

Tom Palmer can be reached at tom.palmer@theledger.com or 863-802-7535.

Posted By:
Straygator
Guest

Lakeland 12-10-2003 20:23
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 60-65 Degrees
Scouted Lakeland and the eastern Polk parkway
Lake Mirror ringnecks 50 or so
Lake Morton ringnecks 200 or so

Lake by the dump increasing numbers of divers looks like 1000 birds out there

Report from Zephyrhills, ringnecks rafting in good numbers at nite and head south during the day, seem to be moving in…

Good luck

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

Alachua County 12-07-2003 08:04
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
Because of the split the woodies were up and moving on Sat. morning, saw a few ringers and mergansers. No teal activity to speak of since last Sunday, It looks as though they have moved from our spot.

[Edited By Kenneth-Schubel on 2003-12-07 08:05]

[Edited By Kenneth-Schubel on 2003-12-07 08:05]

Posted By:
Straygator
Guest

Mulberry 12-05-2003 18:42
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
Hunted Nov 30,

Blue wing Teal in fair numbers, groups of 5 -10, One very large group of 100-200 birds circled a pond about 400 yds from our spot and landed never got up. Small groups of widgeon. Our Bag 5 BW teal, 1 widgeon, 1 hooded Merganser. The birds flew fairly well until 10 am when we gave up. Seems they liked every pond except ours! Cannot figure out where they are rafting at nite!

Good luck to all

Posted By:
naustin
Guest

Lake Okeechobee 12-01-2003 07:59
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 40-45 Degrees
Went hunting this past holiday weekend on the big O. Limited out on Fl. Mallards saw numerous amounts of teal and ringneck. Lots of hunting pressure causing ducks not to decoy well, having to shoot on the fly. With the weather finally breaking should see more action in the later part of the month.

Posted By:
Kenneth-Schubel
WFC Sponsor

Ocala 11-26-2003 06:19
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 60-65 Degrees
Saw two medium sized groups of Canada’s flying over SR 40 in the middle of town today and one just south of Paine’s Prairie. Also seen a small group of Hooded Merganser’s in town. Hearing report also of the teal picking up to fill up more of the hunter’s bag than of opening day.